Straw assembly

ABSTRACT

The soft elastic material which forms the basis of the invention enable a person to use the Straw Assembly as a universal cover which can cover most size cups, bowls, and bottles. The opening on the upper portion of the half sphere design allows a straw to be placed through the opening to reach the beverage for consumption. The lower opening allows the elastic cover to fit around the beverage receptor. 
     According to the description of the invention, any form of beverage containing receptors, ie, cups, bottles, bowls, etc. can be covered due to the soft elastic material that can be stretched to fit any size opening. The beverage inside the receptor is protected from any outside contaminates while at the same time if by chance the receptor was knocked over the beverage would not spill out of the receptor. In addition, the structure of the straw assembly is simple and is very versatile because it can cover the openings of different shapes and sizes of beverage receptors. Also, the production cost of this invention would be relatively very small. One main advantage of this invention is that parents will be rest assured that infants or kids can leave their drink anywhere around the house because there is no possibility that the beverage inside the receptor will spill out.

The present invention is a type of straw assembly that can be combined with drinking apparatuses, such as cups, bottles and cans. Which can be used anywhere indoors or outdoors.

GENERAL HISTORY

In general, to be able to consume drinks that are in bottles, cans or other types of containers, the apparatus that contains the consumable liquid must contact a person's mouth, be poured into a cup or in the case of young children a straw must be placed into the drinking apparatus.

To use a straw with the intent to drink the consumable liquid within the apparatus the liquid is located in, one must place the straw into an opening that have been previously placed by the manufacturers of the drink.

However, the problem that occurs quite frequently are spills. Spills that occur accidentally or unconsciously while using a conventional drinking straw is a problem in most households in which causes several different possible negative effects economically, cosmetically, mentally and even emotionally.

In particular, most accidental spills are caused from young children. Young children have a lack of focus and weak concentration compared to people older than them. Because of this, young children drinking out of a straw that is placed in a cup or other types of drink containers tend to spill their drinks out of negligence.

In addition, cups or drink containers that have openings in them which have been placed on a table or anywhere have a tendency to gather dust or be invaded by bugs which causes unsanitary conditions and making the drink undrinkable. This is also an occurring problem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Solution for the Problems

The present invention of the straw assembly is intended to solve the problems that occur while using a straw to drink from a cup, bottle or any other type of drinking containers. The invention will prevent the leakage of the liquid from the spilt cup, bottle or any other type of drinking containers. Also, the invention will prevent foreign objects like dust or bugs to enter cups, bottles or any other type of drinking containers that have liquid in them.

Means of Solving the Problems

The invention is made up of a soft elastic material that is shaped in a half sphere type of design which has openings in the upper part of the half sphere and bottom part of the half sphere. This elastic material forms into the main cover. The opening located at the top of the half sphere is intended to attached with a straw while the bottom half of the sphere is intended to be able to be expanded to fit any size of the opening of a drinking container.

The opening or hole at the top of the half sphere is intended to be attached to a straw with a connecting band.

The straw that is connected to the main elastic cover comes with a sub-cover that can be place on and off the exterior opening portion of the straw that is exposed to the environment.

The upper part of the straw that is exposed to the environment has a sub-cover that can be opened and closed at the mouth of the straw.

The Effectiveness of the Invention

The straw assembly of the present invention opens on the bottom of the main cover made of soft elastic material. The main cover stretches to fit the size of any beverage containing receptors, ie, cups, bottles and bowls. By stretching the main cover over the opening of the receptor the membrane of the elastic material can prevent any type of leakage while a person can still access their drink through the provided straw.

For example, let's say that there is a child riding in a car and is drinking a store bought beverage and suddenly the driver brakes fast and hard. The drink would most likely fall out of the child's hands in which the beverage would spill all over the interior of the car, even if the child had held on to the cup or beverage receptor, because of the sudden jerk the beverage would most likely spill out of the beverage receptor to stain the interior of the car. If the invention was used in this scenario, the beverage in both cases would not spill out of the beverage receptor. This is an advantage of the invention. Also, using the invention would save the owner of the car time and money which would have been spent if the invention was not used.

In addition, if the invention was in use and the beverage receptor using the invention was accidentally dropped or knocked down the straw assembly would prevent the receptor from leaking the contained liquid.

In addition, because the materials needed to manufacture this invention is similar to rubber balloons, as the main cover and a straw, it is cost effective and its structure is simple and versatile to fit any receptor regardless of the shape or form. This invention is especially great for infants and young children because they go through a variety of different drinking receptors based on age and ability. That is that beauty of this invention, no matter what stage a child is in the straw assembly can be attached to any level of receptor and be used by the child or infant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention shows an schematic drawing of the straw assembly.

In FIG. 2, it is a schematic diagram of FIG. 1 being used on a cup.

In FIG. 3, this schematic diagram focuses on the main cover of the straw assembly with a reinforced band going around the edge of the cover. (This design is intended to be used with a onetime use straw assembly while the other diagrams are focused on a more reusable style straw assembly.)

In FIG. 4, the schematic diagram shows the main cover of the straw assembly being coupled to plate that is the base where different styles of drinking apparatuses can be used, for example, a straw, a nibble and a sippy.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Below while referring to the accompanying drawings for the straw assembly of the present invention, the straw-phase of the straw assembly will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention shows a schematic drawing of the straw assembly and the schematic drawing in FIG. 2 shows the invention in use with a cup. FIG. 3 is an enhanced schematic diagram of the main cover having a reinforced band going around the edge of the main cover. FIG. 4 is the main cover of the straw assembly coupled at the top with a plate that is used to attach and detach replaceable parts.

In FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention, the straw assembly is represented by the number 100, the main cover is represented by the number 110 and the straw is represented by the number 120.

The main cover (110) is a material composed of soft elastic, similar to that of a rubber balloon. With just a little strength the main cover can be stretched over a beverage receptor and with the same amount of strength the main cover can be taken off. Also, due to its elasticity the main will return to its original shape and size.

The main cover (110) have opening at the top and bottom, the upper opening of the main cover (110) is where the straw (120) can be inserted and attached, at the bottom of the main cover (110) the opening can be stretched around the opening of the receptor (200) forming tightly around the shape of the receptor (200).

The hole on top of the main cover (110) is smaller in size compared to the average straw (120) , however, due to its elasticity upon insertion of the straw (120) the hole will expand to allow the straw to enter while at the same time seal itself with the straw (120) with pressure.

Meanwhile, the main cover (110) is able to form its self around the most common size cups and other receptors and even those with the most oddly of sizes and shapes.

The main cover (110) whether the upper area, lower area, interior or even exterior can be reinforced with a band (111).

Having a reinforced band (111) around the lower exterior of the main cover (110) will prevent the edge from wearing out faster than it would if the reinforced band wasn't implemented. The reinforced band (111) around the upper exterior or the main cover (110) will help the elasticity of the upper hole from early wear and tear due to the constant insertion of a straw (120).

The straw (120) is a widely used good. Having a sub-cover (121) can further shape the widely used good.

The sub-cover (121) is located at the top area of the straw (120). When a person is done drinking through the straw (120) and wants to save their drink for later, then the person can just simply cover the straw (120) with the sub-cover (121) and come back to the drink whenever the person wants to. Also, having the sub-cover (121) the person can rest assured that no airborne contaminants will enter the drink and if by chance the drink was to fall or be knocked down the main cover (110) will prevent the beverage from spilling.

In FIG. 4, the top of the main cover (110) does not have a hole for a straw (120) to be inserted but is attached to a base (130) which is used to attach and detach exchangeable parts (140) for example, straw (120), nipple, or sippy are interchangeable to fit the needs of the child using the straw assembly (100).

Here, the connector (130) and the coupling cover (140) can have a combination of different ways to attach or detach each other, combinations such as the male and female counter parts.

The main cover (110) is connected to the connecting plate (130). In which the attachment cover (140) can be connected to the connecting plate (130) so that the straw can be inserted into the cup. The straw is replaceable after wear and tear. By having different styles of attachable covers make it very useful because a person can use it depending on their choices, which makes it have a great advantage over other types of covers offered today commercially.

The assembly of the straw-like structure can stretch to fit most any size opening of a cup, bowl, or bottle. No matter what type of beverage the drinking or its temperature the receptor may carry the combination of have a straw connected to an elastic cover (120) can prevent many outside objects from coming into the cup and also at the same time prevent any liquid from spilling if by chance the cup, bowl, or bottle was knocked down.

For example, let's say that there is a child riding in a car and is drinking a store bought beverage and suddenly the driver brakes fast and hard. The drink would most likely fall out of the child's hands in which the beverage would spill all over the interior of the car, even if the child had held on to the cup or beverage receptor, because of the sudden jerk the beverage would most likely spill out of the beverage receptor to stain the interior of the car. If the invention was used in this scenario, the beverage in both cases would not spill out of the beverage receptor. This is an advantage of the invention. Also, using the invention would save the owner of the car time and money which would have been spent if the invention was not used.

In addition, if the invention was in use and the beverage receptor using the invention was accidentally dropped or knocked down the straw assembly would prevent the receptor from leaking the contained liquid.

In addition, because the materials needed to manufacture this invention is similar to rubber balloons, as the main cover and a straw, it is cost effective and its structure is simple and versatile to fit any receptor regardless of the shape or form. This invention is especially great for infants and young children because they go through a variety of different drinking receptors based on age and ability. That is that beauty of this invention, no matter what stage a child is in the straw assembly can be attached to any level of receptor and be used by the child or infant.

EXPLANATION OF CODES

-   100 ... Straw Assembly -   110 ... Main Cover -   111 ... Reinforced Band -   120 ... Straw -   121 ... Sub-Cover -   130 ... Discharge hole -   140 ... Attachable|Detachable Cover -   141 ... Sub-Discharge hole -   200 ... Beverage Receptor 

1. Produced with a soft elastic material with openings located on the top and bottom a half sphere shape molded with the soft elastic material enables the lower part of main cover to cover a beverage receptor, such as cups, bowls, or bottles while allowing a straw to fit in the upper opening to enable the beverage to be drunk.
 2. Based on claim 1, the straw is assembled with the main cover by using a reinforce band that will enable to straw to stay in its place.
 3. Based on claim 1, using that elastic main cover and attaching it with a base plate with where different styles of attachments can be replaced at any time features a new design of a straw assembly.
 4. Based on claim 1, the upper part of the straw has an attached sub-cover where it can be opened or closed onto the straw assembly. 